First District Transportation Projects and Federal Stimulus Funds

I emphasized how important it was to use stimulus funds to bring jobs to Philadelphia workers. The Secretary revealed that a priority project is a complete overhaul of the structurally deficient Girard Point Bridge on Interstate 95 in South Philadelphia. The bridge's facelift will cost $60 million and is at the top of PennDOT's agenda for fiscal year 2009 - 2010.

SEPTA will also receive an estimated $200 million in stimulus funds to help it pay for repairs and maintenance. Among many projects in the region, SEPTA plans to purchase 40 new hybrid buses. I encouraged both SEPTA and the Department of Transportation to consider a similar purchase of trackless trolleys necessary to restore service on routes 29 and 79 in South Philadelphia.

I questioned the Secretary about long-term transit expansion projects that could provide much-needed jobs, such as a light rail line along the Delaware River, and a Broad Street Subway Line extension to the Navy Yard. Unfortunately, Secretary Biehler wasn’t sure whether stimulus funds could be applied to those projects without fully-developed plans, explaining that the projects are currently in the "concept stage."

Visit Me At Go Green Expo - Free!

As an avid supporter of public transportation and environmentally-friendly vehicles, I plan to take my "green transportation" message to this weekend's Go Green Expo. If you watched the Senate Appropriations hearings, you probably heard me mention that I drive a hybrid vehicle myself, so I have a special interest in promoting and encouraging us all to consider making mass transit and vehicles on the road “greener.”

Go Green Expo is the nation's premier eco-friendly trade show, headed to the Pennsylvania Convention Center March 13 - 15.

The Expo, partly funded by NBC10, The Philadelphia Inquirer, and Philly.com will showcase the latest and greatest in all things green from fuel-efficient cars and natural personal care products, to greener gadgets that help us live more sustainably. In addition to more than 200 different exhibits, Go Green Expo will also host a variety of panels and keynote presentations.

I’ll be participating in a panel called, “Sustainable Transportation,” Saturday, March 14 at 1pm.  Join me as I discuss why the greening of public and personal transportation is so important to our future, with representatives from SEPTA, alternative transportation organizations, and my colleague, Senator Andrew Dinniman of Chester County.

I am pleased to offer you complimentary admission to this year’s Go Green Expo. Simply visit http://www.gogreenexpo.com and use promo code PAGREEN when registering for tickets.

I look forward to seeing you there!